Pattaya’s Public Health and Environment Department plans to spend more than 18.5 million baht in 2012 on eight health-promotion projects, including exercise and elderly programs, dengue fever prevention and the institution of a holiday recognizing the handicapped.

Christmas may not be a recognized holiday in Thailand, but thousands of tourists and residents got into full spirit for the Dec. 25 occasion, with wintery winds bringing a touch of the North Pole to the Eastern Seaboard.

As the year winds down, city workers are rushing to install 129 new light poles from North Pattaya to Pratamnak Hill, all of which will be adorned with a dolphin symbol. Many existing street lights will also be refurbished with the city mascot during this multi-million baht city project.